Greece consistently ranks among the longer-lived nations, and a few regions stand out even more. In 2023, life expectancy at birth for Greece as a whole was about 81.8 years. Within the country, the North Aegean islands lead with ~83.8 years (women ~86.2; men ~81.4), while Epirus has repeatedly appeared among EU leaders—especially for male life expectancy.
Where Greeks live into their 90s—and beyond
Ikaria (North Aegean) has been internationally profiled for unusually high shares of people reaching 90+ and a notable presence of centenarians. Peer-reviewed and population-based fieldwork on Ikaria has documented many “oldest-old” residents and examined their health status and habits; additional analyses describe Ikaria as a longevity “hotspot.” While “Blue Zone” branding sometimes gets debated, Ikaria’s concentration of nonagenarians is well-documented in the scientific literature.
Regional leaders by life expectancy: Recent Eurostat data place North Aegean at the top overall, with Epirus also ranking very high in EU comparisons. Crete and the South Aegean also sit above the national average. (Life-expectancy ≠ “centenarian rate,” but regions that sit above average year after year tend to produce more 90- and 100-year-olds.)
A quick note on evidence quality: Several critiques urge caution about taking “Blue Zone” marketing at face value, citing issues like historical record-keeping. Even so, the core lifestyle patterns associated with these places—diet, movement, social ties, sleep, and limited ultra-processed food—remain strongly supported by broader nutrition and aging research.
What’s behind Greek longevity?
Decades of epidemiology (and on-the-ground studies in Ikaria) point to a cluster of everyday habits rather than a single magic bullet:
Mediterranean dietary pattern. Meals center on vegetables, legumes, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, seasonal fruit, herbs, and modest amounts of fish—while meat and sweets play supporting roles. This pattern is linked to lower cardiovascular and metabolic risk and healthier aging trajectories.
Incidental, all-day movement. Gardening, walking hilly streets, manual chores, and light labor accumulate meaningful activity without “gym culture.” Ikaria studies specifically note preserved function in the oldest-old.
Social cohesion and purpose. Strong family networks, neighborly obligation, village festivals (panigyria), and daily café time protect against isolation and support mental health.
Sleep and stress rhythm. Midday breaks/siestas and unhurried meal times are common; stress is buffered by routine, nature, and social buffering.
Local plants and teas. Herbal infusions (e.g., sage, mountain tea, rosemary) and a generally plant-forward cuisine provide polyphenols and micronutrients associated with healthy aging.
Moderation with alcohol. Where used, wine is typically with meals, in small amounts, and embedded in social ritual—not binge patterns.
You don’t need to live on an island to borrow the benefits:
Build your plate, Greek-style. Base meals on vegetables/legumes (think: beans, chickpeas, lentils), whole grains, olive oil, nuts, and herbs; add fish a few times weekly; keep meat/sweets modest. Aim for most meals to be plant-predominant.
Move naturally, all day. Walk to do errands, take stairs, garden, carry groceries, stand while on calls—sprinkle short movement “snacks” through the day rather than relying only on a single workout.
Prioritize social time. Schedule regular dinners with friends/family, join a club or faith/community group, and make a habit of brief daily check-ins with neighbors or coworkers. Social connectedness is protective.
Protect sleep and tame stress. Keep a consistent sleep window, consider a brief early-afternoon rest if it fits your schedule, and adopt calming rituals (tea, a short walk, prayer/meditation).
Drink thoughtfully—or not at all. If you choose wine, keep it small (e.g., a glass) with meals and never compensate for skipped days by “saving up.” If alcohol doesn’t suit you, skip it—diet and social habits deliver the bulk of benefits.
Age in place, on purpose. Design your home life so the “healthy choice” is the default: keep fruit/veg visible, place a watering can and trowel on the porch, set walking shoes by the door, pre-plan weekly social touchpoints. (This mirrors the environmental ease you feel in many Greek villages.)
Bottom line: Greek longevity isn’t a myth, and it’s not magic—it’s the long-term sum of eating mostly plants and olive oil, moving often, prioritizing people, and living at a humane tempo. Regions like the North Aegean and Epirus currently top Greece’s life-expectancy tables, and Ikaria remains a well-studied case of healthy “oldest-old” living. Borrow those habits wherever you are, and you’ll capture most of the upside.